“What is?” Confused by what is going on, or not going on, I know when I left her place last night things seemed okay. Hell, they seemed great considering the two of us were breathing heavy and didn’t want the night to really end.

  She steps in closer to me, appearing nervous as she holds the ties in front of her that have her long jacket cinched together. The hem hits mid-thigh and until now it hadn’t hit me that her legs were bare. It’s a nice night out though, the cool air feeling good after a hot day, so I guess it’s not too farfetched to imagine her wearing a skirt or shorts. It’s the jacket which strikes me as strange though. It’s thin, so maybe⁠—

  “It took me twenty minutes to drive the five it would normally take to get here,” she confesses, biting her lower lip.

  “But I kept talking myself out of it, thinking I’d only embarrass myself showing up here.” I want to argue that she can come here any time day or night and I’d be happy to see her. But she steps closer once again and I scan over her as she begins to tug on the ties of her jacket.

  My heart races, there is something different about the way she is looking at me, and the way she moves.

  “But as I pulled up out front and looked up to find the light still on upstairs, I decided to take a chance. Channeling the younger me, the one who loved the way you looked at me, just the two of us, in the cab of your truck. All the times you’d pull me close, kissing me like I was the only girl⁠—”

  “You are,” I interrupt making her smile widen.

  “You always made me feel like I was.” She starts to untie her coat, letting it gape open. “I want to have those feeling again. I want to forget about all the bad.”

  My gaze drops to where her jacket now hangs open. The space between her breasts calls to me as she opens it further. Suddenly there she is in pink lace panties and a matching bra, with the coat barely draping on to her shoulders.

  “Zoey.” Her name falls from my lips in awe as I take her in. She is incredible, always has been. The curve of her waist, her perky tits, and those killer thighs that immediately bring back memories of the many times they were wrapped firmly around my waist.

  “I’m not the same,” she starts to shy away, but I stop her.

  Pushing the coat off her shoulder, I glide my hand over her side, to grip her hip and pull her body to mine.

  “You are perfect,” my body trembles with need. “So beautiful,” there are no words. Or at least no right words to explain how I am feeling.

  Reaching around her I lock the door then start walking backwards toward the stairs taking her with me. I cup the side of her face with my hand, bringing her closer. “I want you,” I confess, “I’ve never stopped wanting you.”

  Turning her around, to where her back is to the wall I move in and press my mouth to hers. The familiar whimper escapes her when I drag my tongue along her lips and I smile into our kiss. She’s always done that, always vocalized her pleasure. I loved it then and I fucking love it now.

  The jacket that had been barely hanging on pools at our feet as I pin her to the wall behind her. Using the weight of my body to hold her there I lower my hands and begin to explore. Every curve, and contour of her body drives me deeper into the pits of need, my control slipping as I fight to hold on.

  It’s been so long, so many times I’ve dreamt of her. The years of longing to feel her again and here we are.

  “I’m never letting you go,” I practically growl the words and she squeezes my shoulders, her nails biting into my skin. “Do you hear me,” she nods, “never.”

  I grip her waist and lift, as she wraps her legs around my hips. Together we climb the stairs, stealing a kiss or two before reaching the top.

  The space is small, which I’m thankful as we reach the bed and I lower her to the mattress.

  It’s like the many dreams I’ve had as her creamy skin contrasts against the dark sheets of my unmade bed. I watch in awe as Zoey glides her palms over the soft material before moving herself up higher so her feet aren’t hanging of the end.

  I remain where I am, taking her in, before she parts her legs and I am instantly lost.

  Climbing up the mattress, I lower my body over hers, and she reaches up, grabbing hold of my neck and pulling me closer. Our mouths crash in a heated kiss as my body fits perfectly between her thighs. Thrusting my hips forward she gasps when my hardness pushes against her. I don’t remember ever being this turned on. I am shaking, my heart racing, as I fist the sheets at each side of her head.

  “Damn,” I growl when her hand snakes between us and she rubs me over my shorts.

  I kiss her along the side of her neck, then move lower, tasting her as I travel further.

  “Yes,” Zoey sighs when my lips move along her chest, dragging my tongue over the space between her breasts. Hooking my finger under the side of her bra, I pull it over and her hard nipple peeks out beneath the lace. When I flick it with the tip of my tongue and suck her back arches off the bed. “Jay…” She’s panting my name as her fingers comb through my hair and she holds me in place.

  Switching sides, I do the same before continuing lower, kissing over her stomach.

  Tracing along the waistband of her panties, I dip just beneath the elastic and again she shifts beneath me.

  Memories again flood my mind. Zoey knows what she likes, and she still isn’t shy about it. She combs her fingers through my hair, only this time her grip tightens and the sting it triggers makes me groan. Then she gives a little push and I smile against her, as I hook the lace and drag it lower. Along her thighs she lifts one leg and then the other as I toss them to the floor.

  Fucking incredible, I dip my chin, and tease her with the tip of my tongue. She whimpers, and I apply a little more pressure, her taste coating my tongue.

  “Jay,” again she pants my name, as I look up to see her back arching, her head tilted to the side, her lips parted.

  “Yes?” I pause, my mouth hovering above her and I wait for her to look at me. “Is this what you want?” I ask when her eyes lock on my own. She nods, and I drag my tongue over her wetness once again. I place my hands on her thighs, applying just enough pressure to make her part them further. Tracing over her inner thighs with my thumbs, I nuzzle her, sucking on her clit. Something inside of her ignites and her grip on my hair tightens. The burn is amazing.

  Moving my hand closer, I push a finger inside of her and instantly she begins to shift her hips, riding it out.

  Needy, and so responsive.

  twenty-six

  . . .

  Zoey

  I watch in awe as Jay slides the condom over his hardness, looking at me when he begins to lower his body over mine once more. I’m shaking, vibrating with anticipation.

  When he kisses me, I can taste myself on his lips; it’s exhilarating.

  “You’re like a dream,” he confesses and I feel his hardness pushing inside of me. My back arches and his mouth covers my nipple as he sucks.

  “Fuck,” he growls out the word and I must admit I’m right there with him. The feeling of him seated inside of me, it’s not just a physical connection. I may not have a line of guys under my belt but what I do know is that no touch I’ve ever felt has completely conquered me the way Jay’s does.

  “You feel so good,” he whispers next to my ear and before I can say anything in return he begins to move. Pushing in so deep before pulling back again and again.

  My entire body comes alive. Wrapping my legs around this waist I dig my heels into his backside and use it as leverage to urge him to move. So full, I shiver with desire, building toward release.

  With each thrust his breathing becomes more labored, a deep growl escapes him as he pants my name.

  With my hands, I push the weight of his body and we begin to roll as I straddle him. His hands rest on my thighs, and I stare down at him, tracing over his abdomen, his muscles flexing beneath my fingertips.

  “Baby,” he says on a sigh, and then I slowly begin to move. While I’m taking him inside of me over and over, he squeezes my hips. “Fuck, you’re killing me.”

  I can’t help but smile, loving how he’s barely hanging on and it’s me making him feel this way.

  Nothing has ever felt so good.

  Jay finds my clit with his thumb, forming a circular motion and my movements pick up. We both moan is unison, as we move as one and when his abs tighten beneath my hands, I know he is close.

  “I’m so close.” His voice is strained.

  “Me too.” I shift, riding him as I watch his facial expressions give away the pleasure he is feeling. I feel my body ignite, my legs shake, and I continue to move through the orgasm as it rips through me.

  Jay moans, his body trembles, and together we fall.

  “Doc?”

  I snuggle back into the warm, hard body behind mine. Jay’s arm that rests over my waist, curls tighter around me, pulling me in closer to him. The stubble along his jaw tickles the side me my neck, as he nuzzles me.

  “Hello?”

  I turn looking back at him to find he is still sleeping soundly.

  “Are you up there?”

  My body freezes when I realize someone is hollering up from downstairs. Then my heart feels like it slams against my breastbone at the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs.

  “Jay.” I push against his chest.

  “Not yet baby,” he complains. “I’m wiped after last night.” The corner of his mouth tips up in a grin. “And this morning,” he adds all cocky and for a second, I forget we are about to be caught in the act, by who I have no idea.

  “Wake up!” I nudge him again and to ensure he listens this time, I pinch his side.

  “Damn you weren’t this aggressive last night.” He chuckles when I slap his shoulder.

  “In two seconds whoever it is that is climbing those steps is going to see my bare tits and your ass peeking out of the covers.” It takes a few seconds but my words register and he sits up, grabbing for his shorts.

  “Doc?”

  “Oh shit.” He scatters, and I fist the sheets pulling them up and over my head.

  “Um…” A surprised laugh echoes over the room. I close my eyes tight, holding my breath, and I fight the embarrassment.

  “Shit.” Another nervous laugh. “I just uh…” I know that voice. “Georgia told me to come wake you up. It’s um, its uh, after eight.”

  “Five minutes,” he says and my body picks that very moment to sneeze.

  Everything goes silent, and I freeze, again holding my breath like it will somehow hide me.

  “I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Marcy says. The very girl I’ve called to schedule appointments and ran into on the streets of Magnolia more times than I can count. “Gavin Taylor is here with his little girl. She’s been running a fever all night.”

  “I’ll be right down,” Jay tells her. “Have Georgia get them set up in room two.”

  She excuses herself and I have yet to move. I don’t think I could even if I tried.

  The bed dips, just before I feel Jay drag his palm over the length of my leg and come to rest on my hip. Offering a squeeze I hear him chuckle.

  “You plan on staying under this sheet all day?”

  “Yep,” I don’t even hesitate. “Until everyone downstairs is gone.”

  “Why don’t you get dressed, I’ll go take care of my patient and then we can go have some breakfast before you get the girls from Gigi’s.”

  “I can’t.” Suddenly I realize my well thought out plan was not so well thought out at all.

  “Why?”

  “Because all I brought with me was what I wore last night.”

  I’m met with silence, and I slowly lower the blanket and peek over it. Jay is sitting on the side of the bed, wearing a T-shirt and a smile.

  “So the lace and the coat?” He arches his brow and I narrow my eyes when he smirks.

  “Yes,” I clarify as if I need to.

  He laughs again and I glare at him. “I’m glad you find this so funny.”

  “Babe, it’s only funny because it means I get to keep you here in my bed naked all day.”

  “I have to get the girls,” I tell him. “And I can’t do that half naked in only a thin jacket and high heels. I’m sure that will trigger an entirely different kind of rumor throughout Magnolia Grove. Look at Zoey, her life is a mess and now she has resorted to night calls.”

  “How about you stay right here, you can have your panic attack, and I’ll finish up downstairs.” He smirks when I narrow my eyes at him. “Then you can wear a pair of my running pants, I think I have a black pair. It won’t be any different than you in those leggings you wear. We’ll go to your house, you can get changed, and then we’ll go get the girls and take them to breakfast with us.”

  “The walk of shame in your clothes.” I roll my eyes. “That’s perfect.”

  “Are you ashamed?” I glance back at him to find him staring at me waiting for my answer.

  “No.” There is no shame, not even an ounce. “Do you mind if I shower?”

  “Not at all.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my lips. “If I hurry up, I might be able to join you.” He offers me a wink and stands, walking toward the doorway that leads downstairs, whistling as he goes.

  twenty-seven

  . . .

  Jayson

  “Sorry to come in on a Sunday.” Gavin gathers his daughter as she curls into him when he steps out of the examining room. “We were up practically all night long.”

  “Call in, doesn’t matter how late, day or night,” I tell him as I follow him out of the room. “Doc’s ways are my ways.”

  I step up next to him and notice that Marcy refuses to make eye contact with me.

  “Thanks, Jay,” Gavin offers as he attempts to pull his wallet out of his back pocket while maneuvering his daughter.

  “Marcy can bill you.” I gently rub his daughter back. “Get this little one home and the two of you try to get some sleep.” Gavin offers me a thanks. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. It will ring through as a page.”

  Marcy stands and hurries around the desk. “Here, I’ll walk you out.” I try not to laugh at her obvious avoidance. She can’t wait to get away from me.

  I could wait it out and talk through the awkwardness this morning has triggered but I remember what I have waiting upstairs. I pull off my coat, place it on the hook, and start walking toward the stairway.

  As I reach the top, I glance over toward the bed just as Zoey stands. I pause, scanning over her from head to toe. She’s wearing a pair of my running pants and though they aren’t as tight on her as they are meant to be, they’ll still pass. It’s the shirt she chose, on her it looks more like a dress, hitting close to her knees. I watch is awe as she grabs the hem, twisting it and then tucking it into the waistband of the pants.

  That is when she looks up to notice me standing there.

  “Hey,” her smile lights up her face. “I hope it’s okay that I chose these.”

  She is wearing my University of Alabama Medical School T-shirt, and I’d never considered it to be a turn on until she put it on.

  I walk across the room, stop before her, and without wasting another moment, I cup the side of her face, tip her chin upward and press my lips to hers. Zoey melts against me, a small whimper escapes her just as I break through the barrier of her lips and drag my tongue over hers.

  “What was that for?” she whispers as I slowly pull back trying my hardest to rein in my urges. Having her here, after last night and then again early this morning, I feel a little out of control.

  “This shirt has never looked so good,” I confess, and she laughs, pressing her forehead to my chest. “I’m gonna need a minute.” She lifts her head, looking up at me with curiosity. That’s when I shift forward and her eyes grow wide. “Like I said, I love my shirt on you.”

  We remain there, slowly rocking, and she nuzzles in, as I wrap my arms around her.

  “I called Gigi, she’s getting the girls dressed.”

  “You’re gonna let me take my ladies to breakfast.” Yes, I called them mine, all three of them. I meant what I said last night. When I told her I’m never letting go. Those words weren’t meant only for her, but for Riley and Regan too. I already feel like they are mine.

  “When she told them that Prince Jay was picking them up for breakfast, they squealed so loud that I had to take the phone from my ear.”

  “They are so much fun.”

  “You say that now but wait until the day that they’ve not had a nap and nothing seems to make them happy.”

  “You talked of these times,” I tell her. “But I can’t seem to imagine them to be real.”

  “Oh you wait.” She laughs. “Especially Riley, she is my warrior, and she gets vicious. Regan just gets whiney and clingy.”

  “I just need to jump in the shower real quick and then we’ll head out.” Offering her another kiss, I slip away and hurry to get ready.

  Fifteen minutes later we are walking down the stairs and I notice the way Zoey peeks around the corner. “They’re gone,” I tell her, and her body jerks in reaction to my voice.

  “I didn’t want there to be a patient seeing me sneaking.”

  “And why is it you are sneaking?”

  “People in this town talk,” she adds, grabbing the door handle and pulling open the back door.

  “They do talk, but I’m not afraid of what they have to say.” Immediately she lifts her hand and attempts to cover her face. “Do you really think that hiding your face is going to make people think it’s not you with me.”

  “Yes, maybe.” She shrugs. “It could be anyone.”

  I hook an arm around her waist and spin her quickly, making her yelp in surprise. “No, it couldn’t.”

  “Why couldn’t it be?” Zoey purses her lips and arches a brow.

  “I think the second I rolled into town and they knew I was staying they were waiting for this to happen.”

  “What,” she laughs, “me sneaking out of your place wearing your clothes.”